Pentecostal Church Decorating in Maglód – Evangelic Religious Custom to Welcome Spring

The custom of Pentecostal Decoration of the church with maypoles originates in the middle ages, which has survived in Evangelic regions for the longest time.

The custom was brought along by the people from Maglód escaping from the Turks, then coming back from the Uplands. The members of the congregation erect the maypoles in the church on Saturday at Pentecost.

Men are responsible for cutting down and carrying the poplar trees to the church. Girls and women decorate the trees and the alter with ribbons and kerchiefs. The key characteristic of the Maglód green branch tradition is that the members of the congregation take part at the service in their local folk costume creating a unique sight by the bright colours of the church interior and the folk costumes, the colourful ribbons and kerchiefs hung on the green poplar branches.

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